Best Flea Market

Dixieland Flea Market

Staff Pick, Readers' Choice

Anthony Spak

2045 Dixie Hwy., Waterford Twp.; 248-338-3220; dixilandfleamkt.com

At the border of Waterford and Pontiac you’ll find two flea markets in one at Dixieland. In the warmer months you’ll find the parking lot full of vendors dressed in sunhats and overalls. They’re selling their wares out their truck beds and on tarps laid out on the ground — a mix of used chainsaws, old baseball cards, and other household items. But every so often in the mix you’ll find a gem — a vintage record, a stylish old necklace, or a vintage beer sign that will fit in your garage just right. This is the appeal of the outdoor lot — the dig for the hidden treasures and the conversations you’ll have with the vendors and fellow bargain hunters along the way. Move inside and you’re treated to some of the finer antiques (and air conditioning). Here you’ll find a jeweler, knife and sword shop, an erotic adult shop, a vintage Playboy magazine booth, and great vinyl record store, to name a few. The beauty of Dixieland is that you never know what you’ll find — go in with an open mind and a few dollars in your wallet (yes, cash) and you’ll never know what treasures you’ll walk away with. —Anthony Spak